You may be trying to decide on the type of roofing material that would best suit your home and your lifestyle. You may be considering a new metal roof, but there are some preconceived ideas out there about metal roofs, but knowing the facts will help you decide if installing one is the right decision for your home. Below are a few of the myths commonly associated with metal roofs.

1. Hear the rain

If you want a metal roof so you can hear the sound of rain to help you sleep, you may be disappointed. In order for a metal roof to be loud, you need to have sheets of metal over open rafters so the metal can reverberate and make sound. Today’s metal shingles are fastened to your existing wood roof deck. This method of attachment reduces the ability of the roof to make sound. If you have a sky light, you will find it will be much louder than your new metal roof.

2. No more ice

A metal roof does not stop ice from forming. Ice is a result of snow melting over a warm roof and then running to the cold eave edge and refreezing. The fix for ice dams is to eliminate the heat going to the roof. This is accomplished by increasing attic ventilation, getting rid of heat sources and increasing insulation to R-50.

3. No shoveling snow

While it is true that metal roofs shed snow, the temperature needs to warm up five to eight degrees above freezing. Once the snow starts to melt, it slides off. In heavy snow areas, avoid standing seam roofs if you have valleys. The ribs of the standing seam direct the snow to the valleys and can become compacted and cause damage to the roof. Look specifically for roofs designed for the snow country, as these roofs will lock into the valley and help prevent any damage.

4. A warmer home

A metal roof can actually dramatically reduce the amount of heat entering the home. Not all metal roofs are created equal. For example, an aluminum roof is the most energy efficient. Unlike steel, aluminum roofs have been tested to determine that they can reduce the amount of heat entering the attic of your home by as much as 34 percent. Energy saving coatings such as HI-R pigments are also available that can further reduce the heat gain of the home. The net effect is that your home is much cooler in the summer but remains warm in the winter.

5. No resale value

A quality metal roof adds to the resale value of your home. According to one report, a metal roof will add back over half of the initial cost when it is time to sell. It stands to reason if two identical homes were for sale, and one of them had a metal roof, the home that would never need a new roof would sell for more money. Homeowners generally work hard to make their homes maintenance free and may be less inclined to buy a home that will require additional maintenance.

For more information on metal roofing, contact SB Roofing.

Angie’s List

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